doth punish some for the glory of his justice but not through any hatred of their sin This last reason affirmed by Mr. Banes is now revoaked Thus we see by what spirit these men are led being ashamed of his error And now I have set before you the Christ of the Legalists as they scornfully call us and the Christ of the Antinomians Now if it seem evil to you to serve the Lords Christ chuse you this day whom you will serve whether the Antinomians fained Christ or the true Christ of God But as for me and my house we wil serve the Lord Josh 24.15 Halt no longer between two opinions But if Baal be God follow him but if the Lord be God follow him And like Iehn destroy the name of Baal out of Israel 2 Kings 10.28 Hos 2.17 Let us not put the Lord to decide the controversie by fire from heaven having his word the true Judge of all controversies Therefore whosoever shall despise the Word shal be destroyed and he that feareth the Commandement shall be rewarded prov 13.13 Then be not led away with a fained Christ but cleave to the Lords Christ who is able to keep that which thou committest to his trust and to present thee faultlesse and unreprovable in his sight Coloss 1.22 Now the Lord open thine eyes to see clearly into all these things that differ and give thee grace to hold fast that which is good that thou maist be setled upon the true foundation and there stand like mount Zion unmoveable for ever Psalm 125.1 The grounds of true Christian Religion very necessary to build us on the true Rocke Iesus Christ WHat is the true Christian Religion Answ It is the way to worship God through Jesus Christ according to his own appoyntment First it is called the way of holinesse Isa 35.8 The new and living way Heb. 10 20. The narrow way Mat. 7. the way everlasting Ps 139.14 And it must be in Christ For God was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfe 2 Cor 5.19 And according to his own appointment For all those Ceremonies Types of Christ were done as the Lord commanded Moses Exo. 40. Therefore Christ as a son over his owne house Heb. 3.6 Spake as having authority not as the Scribes Mat. 7.29 He saith all power in heaven earth is givento him ver 28.18 Therefore he in his own name saith Thus you have heard but I say thus unto you Math. 5.28 What are the parts of Religion to be known Answ They are two First is concerning truths to be known that you may prove what is that good acceptable perfect will of God Thou art a Iew knowst his wil Rom. 12.2 3.18 The 2 concerning truths to be practised Thy people shal be willing in the day of thy power Ps 110.3 If ye be willing obedient ye shal eat the good of the land Isa 3.19 Not he that saith Lord Lord but he that doth the will of my Father shal be saved Math. 7.21 The doer of the work shal be blessed in the deed Iam 1.25 Let us hold fast our profession Heb. 4.14.10.23 He that holdeth out to the end shall be saved Mark 13.13 What are the grounds of Religion Answ They are two First it is a right knowledge of God as hee hath revealed himselfe unto us in his word concerning his unity of essence in the Trinity of persons his names and attributes and works of Creation and providence The second maine ground of Religion is a right knowledg of our selves as we were first created righteous holy after Gods own Image Gen. 1.26 Since the fal none is righteous Rom. 3.10 Thirdly as we are in the state of â—race righteous in part Phil. 3 12.15.16 Fourthly in the state of glory perfect in degrees as creatures Heb. 12 23. How do you know there is a God Answ I know there is a God by the testimony of conscience accusing for sin committed and is â—â— were Gods deputy to arraign and condemn us for it which could not be but from a displeased God 1 Kings 17.8 John 8.9 Secondly from the comfortable refreshing wee finde in our soules when we are faithful and conscionable in our obedience to the Lord 2 Cor. 1.12 Rom. 9.1 Acts 22.1 Thirdly I know there is a God by the frame of the world By these vâ—â—ble things are clearly sâ—en his eternal power aâ—d God-head Rom. 1.20 The heavens could not make themselves because they cannot keep themselves from perishing Psal 102.25.26 Heb. 1.10.11 Neither could the earth make it self nor the silly creatures that are in it could not make it nor themselves they being all mortall and vanity which plainly shews that their first beginning was by a divine power Fourthly all nations do acknowledg that there is a God and that he ought to be worshipped although they cannot find out the true God nor truely how to worship him Fifthly I know there is a God that provideth food for all creatures and not onely so but in making their food nourishing being of it selfe without life yet without which they could not live although our cloaths being void of heate yet keepeth our bodies warm which could not be without a God also that all the creatures being at variance feed one upon another yet every kind preserved which could not be without a God How many Gods be there Ans There be many idol-gods which are nothing in the world and many that are called gods Lords But to us there is but one God There is none other Gods but one Cor. 8.4 5 6 In this God there are 3. real distinct Persons having subsistance in the same Essence The Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one â— John 5.7 How do you know the true God from all false gods Answ First the true God is known from all false gods by the simple purity of his divine nature being void of all composition the creatures are made up of the 4 Elements but God is not so and his essence is free from all division or parts We may not say this is one part of God and that is another as we say of the creature Again what is in God cannot be multiplyed or encreased as to have more wisedome or more strength Neither can there be any decrease of any thing that is in God Againe no accidents can cleave to him or adde any thing to his perfection but what ever he is he is the same essentially But are not the three Persons so many parts of his God-head Answ No the Father is God the Son is God the holy Ghost is God and yet not three Gods but one God This Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity is a holy mistery and is rather to be religiously adored by faith then curiously searched by reason further then God hath revealed in his word The mean time let us neither confound the Persons nor divide the substance of his perfect Essence
THE ANTINOMIANS CHRIST CONFOVNDED AND THE LORDS CHRIST EXALTED In which is contained a briefe confutation of Dr. CRISPE and Mr LANCASTER Also a Combat with the Antinomians Christ in his Den his arraignment and the fainting Soule built upon the true rocke against which the gates of hell shall not prevaile Mat. 6.18 Imprimatur James Cranford If any man will doe his will he shall know the Doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speake of my selfe John 7.17 Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve lies that they all may be damned who beleeve not the Truth but take pleasure in unrighteousnesse 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. Many shall come in my name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many then if any shall say unto you loe here is Christ or there beleeve it not for there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect wherefore if they say unto you behold he is in the desert goe not forth behold he is in the secret chambers beleeve it not Mat. 24.5.23 24 26. London printed for Thomas Bankes and are to be sold at his shop in Black-fryers on the top of Bridewell-staires 1644. To the READER Christian Reader IN my first Book against the Antinomians I gave thee a short view of their Errours in five generall heads with a briefe and plaine answer to them and having laid open to the world their uglinesse in their owne native colours they began to be ashamed to owne them and like common Whores who seek to escape away and to leave their bastards upon the parish so these men when shame followed their errours they sought to escape away from them by denying of them but witnesses came in so fast both from their Sermons and from their books and from conference with them that they could not so rid their bands of them yet being unable to maintaine them all away they fled to Gods decrees for a protection and for maintainance of the first of those which is this That a man is justified actually in the sight of God before and without faith and calling this being immediately begottten by them their care was more for it then for the rest which they did but rake out of Eatons dunghill and their labour there was but to raise up children to their eldest brother but as for this which was of their owne begetting was very deare unto them and they say that they will be torne in pieces with wild horses before that they will leave it hereupon they ride post to Gods decrees to fetch from thence some maintainance for it but a faithfull messenger was sent after them to try their power in that last place of refuge and in his pursuit of them he found their Christ exalted above all by Crispe and Lancaster but he being a burden too heavy for them downe fell he and fled to his den but the faithfull messenger being sent and having commission from the Lords Christ followed him to his den and there he was set upon by seaven of his chiefest souldiers and a true relation of the combat and of his victory over them and how he sore wounded them with uncurable wounds and brought away their Christ to his tryall and after a true discovery of him comparing him to the Lords Christ he was sound not worthy to be trusted in for salvation but rather to be condemned for high treason and blasphemy and the Lords Christ alone exalted alove all for ever therefore try all things and hold fast that which is good 1 Thes 5.21 and be no more carried about with divers and strange doctrines for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace Heb. 13.9 as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walke ye in him rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as ye have been taught abounding therein with thanksgiving and beware least any man spoyle you through Philosophy and vaine deceit Col. 2.6 7 8. and that thou mayest be built upon the true rocke Jesus Christ and stand like Mount Zion unmovable Psal 125.1 Mat. 16.18.7.24 1 Cor. 3.12 I have laid here before thee the grounds of true Christian Religion by way of Question and answer read it with an honest and sincere endeavour to be setled in the truth and I doubt not but thou shalt see that the spirit of God will lead thee into all truth John 16.13 and the Comforter which is the holy Ghost whomthe Father will send in the name of Christ he will teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance John 14.26 therefore I pray thee read it and if thoureceive any benefit give God the praise and me remember in thy prayers and so I commend thee to God whom I know is able to keep that which I have committed unto him 2 Tim. 1.12 and so I rest unlesse I be againe provoked by these troublers of Israel but the meane time I remaine Thine in all Christian duties THOMAS BAKEWELL THE ANTINOMIANS CHRIST Confounded and the LORDS CHRIST EXALTED I Borrowed those fourteen Sermons of Doctor Crisps in which the Antinomians say Christ alone is exalted but I found so many errouâ—s in it that it would have been endlesse to have answered them all distinctly one after another and having the Booke but two dayes in my hand therfore I thought fit to gather the substance of them to these câ—râ—aine heads first those errours about redemption secondly those about possession thirdly those about justification fourthly those about the new Covenont fiâ—â—ly those about a holy conversation with a briefe and plain answer to them to shew how Christ alone by them is exalted First their errours about redemption the Doctor saith we may collect the universality of redemption of all and every particular man in the world pag. 296. this he illustrates by this comparison saying That the Lord pardons sinners as when a King by proclamation sends forth a generall pardon for all Theeves without exception so that if a man be but a Theefe it is enough the pardon is sent him as a deed of gift universally exhibited pag. 162 163. but saith the Lord to Jerusalem how shall I pardon thee for this thy children have forsaken me and sworn by them that are no gods they commit adultery and assemble themselvesn â—â—roops to the harlots houses Jer. 5.7 obey his voice provoke him not for he will not pardon your transgressions for my name is in him Exod. 23.21 some sinners shall never be purged from their filthinesse Ezâ—k 24.13 he that blasphemes against the holy Ghost shall never be forgiven Mat. 12.31 then is his pardon for all sinners he cals none but those that are heavy laden with their sins Mat. 11.28 and excludes those that cry Lord Lord and
shifts his hands of it with all the speed he can saying he answered it in the third already when as the meane time it gnawes upon his conscience as a gangreine that is incurable for God and fin are at a deadly enmity Psal 45.7 Iam. 4.4 The fifth deadly wound that this faithfull messenger gave to the Antinonsians Christ is his den is this We are by nature children of wrath Ephes 2.3 This he knows not well how to rid his hands of but saith if we could prove it to be so in Gods account as well as in our owne esteeme and that wee are so exempted from grace untill we beleeve it were something I answer God esteemes them as they are in themselves before conversion setting his own purpose aside to be but as Reprobates Neither was hee moved by any love to them from all eternity to have such a purpose toward them The cause of Gods decrees and purposes was love to himselfe to set forth his own glory This was the ground of all Gods purposes to us for then there was nothing else but himselfe to love Now all reprobates have their descent from the Devill as they are reprobates Ye are of your father the Devill for his workes ye doe John 8.44 And they are called the seed of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 Know you not that to whom ye yeeld your members servants to obey his servants ye are to whom you obey Rom. 6.16 Now before conversion the Elect are servants of sinne as well as the reprobates Ye were the servants of sinne saith the holy Ghost but now ye are become the servants of ryghteousnesse Rom. 6.17 18. A gaine the seed of the woman saith the holy Ghost is none but Christ Hee saith not to seeds as of many but as of one which is Christ Gal. 3.16 So then as all mankind lye in the fal of Adam They are the seed of the Serpent till they are begotten againe by the immortall seed to a lively hope 1 Pet. 13.23 And borne againe of the water and the spirit John 3.5 So then what is said of Reprobates is said of the Elect before conversion For they are of their father the Devill that do his workes going on in a course of sinne These are in the snare of the Devil led captive at his will and yet may be recovered out of lt 2 Tim. 2.26 Such were some of you but ye are washed ye were carried away unto these dumb Idolls 1 Cor. 6.10 11 1.2 2. Ye were without Christ being aliens and strangers from the Covenants of promise and without God in the world Ephes 2.12 And saith the holy Ghost Hee that beleeveth not the sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3.36 And the Lord calls them his adversaries and enemies Yet he wl purge away their drosse and take away their tinne and Zisn shal be redeemed with judgement Isa 1.24.25.27 I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy yet I will restore health unto thee and heale thy wounds saith the Lord Jer. 30.14.17 And the Lord hateth all workers of â—â—iquity and the Lord will ab hor the bloody and deceitfull man Psal 5.5 6. Here is no exception made whether they be elect or reprobate but upon the condition of faith and repentance For saith the holy Ghost There is no difference for all have sinned Rom. 3.22 23. And saith Peter He put no difference between us and them purifying our hearts by faith Acts 15.9 Here comes the difference when the Lord gives faith and by it we receive Christ and his benefits What hast thou thâ—a that thou didst not receive from God so he made thee to differ from another 1 Cor. 5.7 And the holy Ghost saith I will call them my people which were not my people and her beloved which was not beloved Rom 9.25 Thus you see I bring Gods own testimonies because that you shal not say men speak of them from misapprehension Now let God be true and all the Antinomians lyers which would by a subtle evasion overthrow all the Scripture saying When God shall command any duty or forbid any vice or promise any mercy or threaten any judgment for sin all the Scripture must be brought to this Do they apprehend it â—â—piâ— they do not it is not so Suppose the Propher say thou wast angry with me Isa 12.1 This they put off with misapprehension And when Paul saith I was a Persecutor a Blasphemer and injurious this they say was misapprehension when any speake thus of themselves before conversion But what will they say to those words of Christ Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Acts 9.5 And when the Apostle saith We had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh and we were children of wrath by nature even as others This they put off with misapprehension Ephesians 2.3 But how will they put off this You were dead in trespasses and sins and ye were Gentiles in the flesh ye were without Christ and without God in the world vers 1.11 12. Thus you see the wound is incurable it cannot be healed which the faithful messenger gave the roaring lyon in his den Now I shall proceed to see how the Antinomians Christ is able to stand in the presence of the Lords Christ First their errours were laid open to the view of the world in five generall heads And then perceiving them to fly a faithfull messenger was sent after them to their last place of refuge and so he going to their den was set upon and I have given thee a just account of their Combat and now we shall see whether they have been led all this while by the true Christ or not Now this Messenger hath brought him to his tryall Now if the Antinomians Christ be the true Christ then we will follow him But if those whom they scornfully cal Legalists serve the true Christ let all follow him we will compare them together and both with the Word of God Our Christ was promised when Adam had sinned Gen. 3.15 And in that promise by faith all the elect were saved before his comming in the flesh But our Antinomians Christ tells therâ—â— that they were saved before his comming in the flesh for their sincere obedience to the morall law of God This Simpson affirmed before the Committee of Divines in my hearing And that promised seede of the woman they say was nothing concerning redemption but only it was a word spoken to the Serpent as a part of his curse therefore they renounce it This was witnessed by foure of them viz. Mr. Wetton Mr. George Mr. Banes and one more against me and some others Our Christ is the substance of the Covenant of grace Isa 42.6 And all the Elect are saved by him But the Antinomians Christ was the substance of the first Covenant the Covenant of workes witnesse Dr. Crispe in his book page 121. Our Christ comes openly saying I speake openly to the world I
ever taught in the Sinagogues and in the Temple whether the lows alwayes resort and in secret have I said nothing John 18.20 And faith Paul I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ Rom. 1.16 He went into the Sinagogue and spake boldly Acts 19.8 But the Antinomians Christ creeps into houses and leads captive silly women laden with sins and led away with divers lusts ever learning and never able to come to the knowledg of the trueth 2 Tim. 3.6 7. He is in the secret chambers or in the desars Math. 24.26 He is in their private meetings the nurseries of al heresies while there is liberty to worship the Lord openly Our Christ comes into the soule with power pulling down the strong holds of Satan binds the strong man and spoyles his goods Math. 12.28 And casts him out by the spirit of God vers 29. But the Antinomians Christ comes into their soule and lives there as an underling in that soule where the Divell raignes as Lord and King and leads them captive at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 The Prince of the power of the ayre ruleth in the children of disobedience Ephes 2.2 See Crisp page 320. When the spirit of our Christ comes into the soule he takes out the stone out of the heart and renews a right spirit in us Psal 51. In righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.23.24 It is God that worketh in you both to will and to doe of his owne good pleasure Phil. 2.13 But the spirit of the Antinomians Christ is an idle spirit living many years in the soule as an underling to the Divell doing nothing When our Christ puts his spirit into us this spirit causeth us to walke in his statures and to keep his judgments and do them Ezek 36.27 The holy Ghost wil teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance John 14.26 And brings in every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.5 And leads into all truth John 16 1â— But the Antinomians Christ puts neither life nor motion into those where he comes but still they remaine dead stones and empty trunckes See the tree of knowledge and counsell to Laodicea Againe when our Christ comes into the soule he comes as a King and commands obedience to the morall law being the statute law of heaven Psal 119.89.103.20 Saying you have heard that it hath been said thus but I say unto you thus Math. 5. He taught as one having authority and not as the Scribes Mat. 7.29 He cleared the law from these false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees and delivered it in his own name And when one asked what he should do to have eternall life then he sends him to the Law But the Antinomians Christ frees them from all obedience to the morall law and makes them as idle as himselfe Our Christ commands us to take heed of drunkennesse and surfeiting and cares of this life that we may be accounted worthy to escape the dangers of the dreadfull day and to stand before the son of man Luke 21.34 35. But the Antinomians Christ perswades them that a Drunkard or Whore-monger or any vile person without any change or alteration in the world if his heart do but say I would have Christ al that sinfulnesse though continued in is no bar in the world to hinder this man from claiming his portion in Christ see Dr. Crisp page 314.320 The Apostle of our Christ saith Ye lust and have not and ye aske to spend it on your lusts Ye adul erers and adulteresses know ye not that the friend-ship of this world is enmity with God James 4. But the Antinomians Christ perswades them that David did not offend the Lord in the sin of adultery nor Paul in his persecution of the Saints of God for all occasion of quarrell and controversie is absolutely taken away see Dr. Crispe page 303. Nay further they affirme that if a man refraine adultery in obedience to the law he sins more then he that commits that that fearfull sin in despight of the law which makes them forsake all their acquaintance that live in obedience to the law and chuse to themselves such prophane company that they may be sure aro of their own opinions The Apostle of our Christ saith every member is necessary being led by one spirit into all truth Ioh. 16.13 And baptized into one spirit and rejoyce in each others happinesse and grieve at any injury done to their fellow-members there is no schisme in his body 1 Cor. 12.12.13.25.26 But the Antinomians Christ leads some of his members but the Divell leads many more of them then he being whores and drunkards without any change or alteration see Crisp p. 314.320 Who defie the law of God For one of them said I am not bound to live with a dead man I will take to me a spirituall husband And shee like a strumpet forsooke her husband and took another and yet a member of their Christ witnesse Mr. Rushbrook and his wife If any shall say he is a member of our Christ bear no fruit he takes him away and casts him into the fire being a withered branch good for nothing Joh. 15.2.6 He is not an unrighteous Iudge to cal evill good he will not justifie the wicked Isa 5. He wil by no meanes clear the guilty Exo. 34.7 He went into his garden to see the fruits of the valley whether the Vine flourish and the Pomgranat budded Cant 6.11 He saith Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit marke so shall ye be my Disciples Joh. 15.8 But the Antinomians Christ pronounceth an unrighteous sentence calling evill good justifying the guilty before they have any faith to receive the righteousnesse of Christ whereby alone they may be just Our Christ saith being justified by faith we have grace with God Rom. 5.1 Therefore wee conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law Rom. 3.28 Hee that beleeveth on him that justifieth the ungodly now mark his faith is courted for righteousnesse Rom. 4.5 But the Antinomians Christ saith they are justified before and without faith while they remain ungodly see Crisp page 136.155 Our Christ saith he that beleeveth not shal be damned Mark 16.16 Neither shal he see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Joh. 3.36 But the Antinomians Christ saith a man may be saved without faith see the counsell of Christ to Laodicea Our Christ when he comes into the soule he comes by water and blood to sanctifie aswel as to justifie 1 John 5.6 But the Antinomians Christ comes to justifie them and yet not to sanctifie at the same time Nay further he saith sanctification of life is not a joâ— the way of a justified person unto heaven see Crisp p. 69. The spirit of our Christ is always working in us where it is and by this working we know our selves to be justified But the Antinomians Christ perswades them that their justification cannot
me 1 Cor. 11.24.25 Neither did christ blot out the forth commandement when hee cleared them from the false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees but rather shewed his Disciples how they ought more strictly to observe and keep them But the Antinomians christ tells them this is legal teaching for the law is void to them and ought not to be observed see counsell to Laodicea Our Lord Christ commands us to grow in grace 2 Pet. 3.18 1 Thes 4.1 But the Antinomians christ saith they are as righteous as he in respect of degrees and therefore cannot grow in grace neither need they to receive the Sacrament for that purpose Our Christ was tempted of the Israelites in the wildernesse 1 Cor. 10.9 Yet he was reconciling the world to himselfe 2 Cor. 5.19 And afterwards when he came in our nature they cryed out crucifie him and murthered the Prince of life Acts 14.15 Yet he prayed for them and his prayeres was heard But the Antinomians christ tells them that they never did offend him but were reconciled to him from all eternity and pronounced them just before they were and so born as righteous as christ without any originall sinne Our Christ came to adopt all his sons that did receive him For as many as received him to them he gave power to become the sons of God to them that believe on his Name John 1.12 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus Gal. 3 26. But the Antinomians Christ tells them that they were adopted from all eternity Our Christ saith search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 And the noble Bereans are highly commended for searching the Scripture Acts 17.11 But the Antinomians Christ tells them that they neede not the written Word without they are so full of light within and that any thing is Scripture if it be but written and of an equall vallew with it see the tree of Knowledge But they rejecting the Word of the Lord what wisdome is in them Ier. 8.9 Our Christ said If ye beleeved Moses ye would have beleeved me But if yee beleeve not his writings how shall ye beleeve my words Iohn 6.47 48. But the Antinomians Christ Moses are at a perpetuall enmity because Moses requires obedience and they are led by an idle spirit which neither infuseth grace into them nor doe they desire it lest they should be bound to improve or to encrease it Our Christ saith by his Apostle If we or an Angell of heaven should preach any other Gospel then that we have preached unto you let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 9. But the Antinomians Christ by their own confession hath revealed to them a new light that Gods faithfull people never saw before But they that bring it are false Apostles deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and as Ministers of righteousnesse And no marvell for Satan himselfe is transformed into an Angel of light 2 Cor. 11.13 14. But they that say they see by his light their sin remaineth John 9.41 They think of men above that which is written therefore they are puffed up one against another 1 Cor. 4.6 Our Christ is become a surety for us Heb. 7.22 And his righteousnesse is imputed to us and accounted ours But the Antinomians Christ tells them that he hath stripped them of their sins and they have stripped him of his righteousnesse so that they are deified he is degraded of his God-head and now they are made righteousnesse in the abstract See Hony-comb And he is made sin in the abfor them Our Christ by his Apostle bids us to strive together for the faith of the Gospell Phil. 1.27 And saith ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against firme Heb. 12.2 He said the time would come that he which hath no sword should sell his garment to buy one Luke 22.36 And when the Souldiers came to him to know what they should doe he bad them doe no violence by plundering any man but be content with your wages But he did not bid them leave fighting for the Gospell and Religion Luke 3.14 But the Antinomians Christ will not have them fight for the Gospell nor Religion yet hee will give way to fight for other things which sheweth him to be a carnall Christ framed in their own fancy and he and his Prosâ—lites are all alike who say that they will fight for carnall things but not for the Gospell nor Religion Our Christ is given for a Covenant of the people Isa 49.8 And saith the Lord they shall aske the way to Zion with their face thitherward saying come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant that shall never be forgotten Jer. 50.5 But the Antinomians Christ will cause them to despise all bonds and covenants to the Lord and to his Christ saying let us breake their bonds asunder cast away their cords from us Psal 2.3 Yea they abhor the very seales of that covenant already made with the Lords Christ lest by them they should grow in grace which is very hatefull to the Antinomians Christ These be those truce-breakers having aforme of godlinesse but deny the power of it from such turn away 2 Tim. 3.3.5 Our Christ is that good shepheard which gave his life for his sheep Ioh. 10.11 He saith I pray not for the world but for those that thou hast given me for they are thine John 17.9 But the Antinomians Christ tells them that he dyed for the whole world Therefore saith Dr. Crispe we may collect the universality of redemption of all and every particular person in the world see his book p. 296. Our Christ tells his followers afore-hand what it wil cost them to be a Christian saying he most sell all and give it to the poore Lu. 18.22 and denie himselfe Luke 9.23 And hate father and mother wife and children brethren and sisters and his own life also else he cannot be my Disciple Luke 14.26 But the Antinomians Christ tells them of â—at pastures and fulnesse of pleasures see Crispe p. 31. Our Christ was angry at the buyers sellers in the Temple whipped them out of it Math 21.12.13 But the Antinomians Christ tells them that afflictions for sin are the smiles of God his choycest imbraces and strokes are the greatest manifesting of Gods love to them p 43. Our Christ saith God spared not his only son but gave him up for us all Rom. 8.32 But the Antinomians Christ tells them that his Father broke out furiously against him and he was satisfied to see his son tormented Yea it did his soule good to behold it see blaspheming Crispe page 46 47. Our Christ requires of us thirsting comming buying eating hearkning seeking calling upon God Isa 55.1 2. But the Antinomians Christ requires nothing bâ—â— to take the offer of him in a carnall manner to keepe them from punishments Our Christ bids us to aske seek and knock Mat. 7. And to strive to enter into the straight gate
Secondly we may know the true God from all false gods by this that he is infinite First in his unmeasurable greatnesse Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatnesse is unsearchable Psal 145.3 Behold God is great and we know him not Job 36.26 Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot containe thee 2 Chr. 6 18. He is omnipresent in all places Whither shall I goe from thy presence To heaven thou art there to hell thou art there to the bottom of the sea thou art there Ps 139.7 8.9 But no other God is so Secondly God is infinite in his unmeasurable age and time of his being there was none before him nor shal e any after him He is Alpha Omega the first and the last Rev. 1.8 His days cannot be searchen out Job 36.26 Thy yeaâ—es have no end Psa 202.27 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God Psal 90.2 The Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King Jer. 10.10 But no other God is so Thirdly God is infinite in his wisedome understanding Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisedome and knowledg of God how unsearchable are his judgments and his wayes past finding out Rom. 11.33 Great is the Lord his understanding is infinite Psa 147.5 The Lord knows the hearts of men Psal 94.11 He seeth not as man seeth he looketh on the heart 1 Sam. 16.7 Hee knowes all things John 21.17 Thine eyes are open upon all the wayes of the sons of men Jer. 32.19 All things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom wee have to do Heb. 4.13 Yea the darknesse hideth not from thee but the night shineth as the day the darknesse and the light are both alike unto thee Psal 139.12 But thus no other God can do Fourthly God is infinite in this that he is unchangeable or immutable The finite creatures change daily But the Lord is the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13.8 I am the Lord I change not Mal. 3.6 With him there is no variablenesse not shadow of turning Jam. 1.17 The heavens wax old as a garment and as a vesture shal be changed But thou art the same for ever Ps 102.27 Heb. 1.12 God said to Moses I am that I am Exo. 3.14 That men may know that thou whose name alone is Jehovah art the most high over all the earth Psal 83.18 Hee hath his being of and from himselfe being alone Independant who gives ceing to all his promises all creatures have their being from him In him we live move and have our being he giveth to all life and breath and all things Acts 17.25.28 Therefore he alone is unchangeable but all other Gods are vanity Zech. 10.2 Fifthly God is infinite in his righteousnesse and holinesse The Judge of all the earth will do right Gen. 18.25 The Almighty will nor pervert judgement he accepteth not the persons of Princes nor regardeth the rich more then the poore for they are all the work of his hands Iob 34.12.19 And his holinesse is such that cannot be defiled with sin although he is in all places where sin is committed and hath a hand in all finfull actions The hand that is stretched out to slay another is moved by the Lord and the tongue that blasphemes his holy Name is moved by him For in him we live move and have our being Acts 17.28 Yet he is righteous in all his wayes and holy in all his works Psal 145.17 His work is perfect for all his wayes are judgment a God of truth without iniquity just true is hee Deut. 32.4 Hee wil by no meanes cleare the guilty Exod. 34.7 Nor spare his owne Son when our sins were imputed to him Rom. 8.32 Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God 1 Sam. 6.20 The Angels cover their faces as not being able to behold the glory of his holinesse and they cover their feet being ashamed that he should behold their infirmity And they cry out one to another saying holy holy holy Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of thy glory And the Prophet cryes out saying Woe is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwel in the middest of a people of uncleane lips For mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Host Isa 6.2.3.5 For who among the Gods is like unto thee glorious in holinesse Exod. 15.11 Sixtly God is infinite in power he can do more then he wil do Mat. 3.9 Is any thing too hard for the Lord Gen. 18.14 Ier. 32.17 Who hath resisted his will Rom. 9.19 Our God is in the heaven and hath done whatsoever he pleased Psal 115.3.135.6 Our God in fixe dayes made the heavens the earth the sea and all the creatures in them Exod. 20. But those gods that have not made the heavens and the earth even they shal perish from the earth and from under those heavens But our God hath made the earth by his power he established the world by his wisedome and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion Ier. 10.11 12. Then let us not halt between two opinions When the people saw his power they fell on their faces and said the Lord he is the God the Lord he it the God 1 Kings 18.21.39 Of what did the Lord make the world and by what meanes is it continued and upheld Answ The Lord made all things of nothing Things that are seen were made of things which do not appeare Hebr. 11.3 And he upholdeth all things by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 For the earth hangeth upon no thing Iob 26.7 But was man made of nothing Answ The first matter was made of nothing being the earth and the rest of the Elements And then the Lord God formed the body of man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrills the breath of life and man became a living soule Gen. 2.7 But had not the woman also a soule given to her Answ Yes Hannah poured out her soule before the Lord 1 Sam. 1.15 And saith Mary my soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour Luke 1.46 47. And the Lord opened Lidia's heart that she attended unto those things that were spoken by Paul Acts 16.14 And Mary kept the sayings of Christ in her heart Luke 2.19.51 In what estate or condition was man created Answ In a blessed estate In the image and likenesse of God which consisted in knowledge Col. 3 10. In righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.24 And in his soveraignty over all the creatures here below Gen. 1 28 Psalm 8.6 7 8. Wherefore did God create all things Answ God made all things for his own glory The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth sheweth forth his handy worke Ps 19 1 The Lord made all thing for himselfe Pro. 16.4 In what did God require that Adam should glorifie him Answ In fulfilling a Covenant
his mercifull promise lets the poore sinner feele the assurance of his love wherewith he loveth him in christ see Mat. 7.7 Isa 65.24 Job 33.26 this assurance is a lively evidence of faith Are there divers degrees and measures of faith A. Yes the least measure of faith that any man can have is this when a man of an humbled spirit by reason of the littlenesse of his faith doth not yet feele the assurance of the forgivenesse of his sinnes and yet he is perswaded that they are pardonable and therefore he desireth they should be pardoned and with his heart prayeth to God for pardon and though he see no light yet he will stay upon his God Isa 50.19 this may be called smoaking flax or a bruised reed Isa 42.4 or the graine of mustard-seed Mat. 17.20 How doe you know that such a man hath faith A. These desires and prayers are testimonies of the spirit rom 8.23.26 gal 4.6 whose propesty it is to stirre up longings after heavenly things with sighes and groanes for Gods favour and mercy in christ now where the spirit of God is there is christ dwelling Eph. 3.17 and where christ dwelleth there is true faith how weak soever it be Eph. 3.17 What is the greatest measure of fâ—â—iâ—h A. When a mans faith encreaseth daily and at length he is fully perswaded of Gods love to himself in particular and that his owne sinnes are fully pardoned and forgiven for the merits of christ I am perswaded that nothing is able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord rom 8.33 â—9 this 〈…〉 veâ—y evidence of a strong faith Hath a christian this full assurance of faith at the first A. Noâ— the righteousnesse of God is revealed from faith to faith rom 1.17 and they must pray the Lord to encrease their faith Luke 17.5 and they must with all diligence adde to their faith vertue 2 Pet. 1.5 and fight the good sight of faith 2 Tim. 4.7 but they a estroâ—g who are of fullage and by reason of use have their sâ—nses exercised to discerne both good and evill Heb. 5.14 such are not weake in faith they will not stagger at the promise of God through unbeliefe but being streng in faith they will give glory to God being fully perswaded that what God â—â—oneised he was able also to performe rom 4.19.20 21. Is this justifying faith commanded in the law A. No not by the law of works but by the law of faith rom 3.27 the law doth not reveale it and thâ—â—fore it doth not command it but the law is so far from revealing justifying saith that it never knew it and Adam had the morall law written in his heart and yet he had no justifying faith which apprehendeth Christ as a Saviour and Redeemer this saith Adaem knew not by the law of works till the law of faith came in the promised seed Gen. 3.15 What benefits come by this faith in Christ A. Hereby we are both justified and sanctified being justified by faith rom 5.1 and sanctified by faith in me Acts 26.18 purifying their hearts by faith Acts 15.9 then our persons are accepted with God Gen. 4.4 What is it to be justified before God A. It comprehendeth two things first to be cleered from the guiltinesse and punishment of sinne who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is God that justifieth rom 8.33 there is no condemnat on to them which are in Christ Jesus who is he that condemneth it is Christ that dyed ye rather that he is risen againe rom 8.1.34 secondly we are accepted as perfectly righteous before God by him all that beleeve are iustified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses Acts 13.39 What other benefits comes along with iustifying faith A. Then all our prayers and and services are acceptable with the Lord Gen. 4.4 Prov. 15.8 Rom. 5.2 and it makes us to escape all the dangers threatned against the wicked at the day of judgement Luke 21.36 and it makes us worthy of the Kingdome of God Luke 20.35 2 Thes 1.5 Yea Christ is yours and all is yours both things tresent and things to come 1 Cor. 3.21 22. How may a man know that he is justified before God A. He need not to search the secret counsell of Gods decrees nor seeke for revelations or an Angell from heaven to tell him but this is the way for any that would truly find it we must search to see whither we in heart and life be sanctified and if we find this we may safely conclude our selves to be justified What is sanctification A. It is a renewed holinesse which fits and prepares the creature for the Lords use goe yee out of the middest of her be ye â—eane that beare the vessels of the Lord Isa 52.11 for he will be sanctified in all that come nigh him Levit. 10.3 if any man purge himselfe he shall be a â—essell unto honour sanctified and meet for the Masters use and prepared unto every good worke 2 Tim. 2.21 But may not a man have faith and be justified without sanctification A. No for faith as an instrument both justifies and sanctifies for as it receives and applies Christ and his merits to us in particular so it justifies and as it workes by love and acts all other graces in their lively motion so it sanctifies But Infants may be justified are they also sanctified A. Yes before I formed thee in the belley I knew thee here is Gods decree but as yet not brought forth Zeth 2.2 the man is not formed therefore as yet neither justified nor sanctified but sayth the Lord before thou camest out of the wombe I sanctified thee Ier. 1.5 many shall rejoyce at the birth of John because he shall be silled with the holy Ghost enen from his mothers wombe Luke 1.14 15. Proceed What be the parts of sanctification A. Two mortification and vivification mortification is that power whereby sin is abated and crucified in the faithfull how shall we that are dead to sin lâ—ve any longer therein rom 6.2 they which are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 5.24 By what meanes is mortification wrought in us A. By the death and buriall of Christ we are buried with him by baptisme into his death rom 6.4 our old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed â—o 6.6 What is the other part of sanctification A. It is vivisication whereby inherent holinesse is begun and increased in us we receive the first fruits of the spirits be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Eph. 4.23 24. you hath he quickned that were dead in trespasses and sinnes I am crucified with Christ neverthelesse I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by